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(Goduka’s name means “prodigal son, return home”)
The little male cub opened his eyes to see not his mom, not anther cub, nor his king, but he saw a golden lioness. She didn't have the smell of milk on her fur so she simply couldn't be his mom. He was only two weeks old, so he let out a tiny cry and barely managed to keep his head up.
She chuckled at him, her yellow eyes glinted with amusement. "Ah, so you can see me. Most cubs don't. I hope you'll be able to keep this talent little one. I have big plans for you." She purred, then licked his forehead. "My son, he is your king. I am the proud mother of your king. He is the kindest lion I know. He has plans for you too."
The cub cried again in response. Urging for his mother to wake up and place him near her belly again.
"Till we meet again little Goduka." She purred then faded into the air.
The cub wailed out even louder this time. He was confused even at this young age.
His mother shot awake and saw him crying, too far away from her to be getting much warmth. "How'd you get over there little one?" She purred in a whisper as she used her paw to slide him over to her. Now embraced by his mother's warmth between her legs and huddled close to her chest, he stopped crying. "Oh my son, what am I going to do with you if you keep wandering like that."
And the cub hadn't seen the golden lioness since but he did keep wandering. Not the way most cubs did by running out of the den when their broodmothers weren't paying attention. He wandered to an isolated corner of the cave and sat there until he was bothered. Just a mere three months old he heard a low growling coming from behind him. He slowly turned. He trembled in fear and his heart felt as if it was in his throat.
"If it was up to me I would've ripped out your throats the minute you opened your god forsaken eyes." The white lion snarled and raised a heavy paw.
Goduka shrieked in terror and cried for his mother who swooped in to snatch her son and comfort him.
He looked at his corner again. No white lion.
The king approached the young mother, who was desperate for answer for her first and only cub. Peyka and his mother comforted the young cub until he was able to speak.
Goduka told them what he saw, what he heard. He was still shaken up even after, so his mother decided that she wouldn't hunt until he felt better. Peyka didn't mind, seeing that the cub was so terrified. Although Peyka knew who the lion was he didn’t tell either of the two, instead he told his queen about his worry. Icarus however, being the talkative lioness she was told the whole pride in a matter of hours. It got back to Goduka’s mother whose terror only grew when she found out.
When the sun had fallen, and Goduka finally fell asleep, she talked to Peyka about what she heard. “Peyka, you know I have the upmost respect for you and your queen,” she began, “but to go so far to say my cub is seeing the dead?”
Peyka’s lavender eyes met the huntress’s. “It’s not like that, your son perfectly described the king before me. The way he moved, talked, every detail down to his eye color. Tavako wasn’t kind to anyone, I wouldn’t expect he had a change of heart once passing. Who else is that cub seeing?”
“I don’t know. How am I supposed to know what he sees?”
“You’re his mother aren’t you?”
“That doesn’t mean he speaks.”
“Does he not speak or do you not speak?”
She simply huffed, her long tail lashed behind her kicking up the dirt on the cave’s floor. She stayed silent however, her ears laid flat on top of her head. She wasn’t pleased with the accusations Peyka was making, but she didn’t argue either. “Suppose he can see the deceased,” she mumbled, “then what? The shamans aren’t returning anytime soon to fix it.”
“Why fix what isn’t broken to begin with?” The king retorted.
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Adolescent greeting:
You see Peyka sitting with him on a rock, telling him about the circle of life. You approach and sit down, interested in Peyka's beliefs. "Oh hey there!" Peyka purrs; a low rumble from his chest in greeting, "I was going to introduce you to my heir after this chat but since you're here," he pauses and nudges the young male, prompting him to greet you.
"Hi, I'm Goduka." he said quietly, He was more of a loner, shy too. "Your former lord says that you're leading poorly." His bright eyes almost stare into your soul. It makes you uncomfortable.
By the grace of your ancestors Kgabu pads over, "Goduka, time for another patrol!"
Goduka nods and bumps his head against Peyka's shoulder as a farewell he nods to you before leaving with Kgabu.
"I'm sorry about Goduka, he feels it's needed to say everything your passed loved ones say." Peyka sighs, it seems like Goduka might've said some things to him too. "He grows on you though. He's a good cub, sometimes hearing and seeing the dead takes a quite a toll on him. He still has all the makings of a king though."
So Peyka has a heir that sees and talks to the dead? Weird.
Cub greeting:
You see a blue and ginger male cub in the shadows of the den, rolling some stones across the ground. Out of nowhere he snaps around, turning behind him and screaming at the wall. He starts crying, so his mother dashes over and takes him away to comfort him. Peyka watches, he seems worried about the cub.
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1Y: You greet Goduka with a head bump. He smiles a little, as if grateful for the attention, before returning to his usual dark corner.
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